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Georgia is an ancient country with a strong reputation for welcoming foreign visitors. Located on the major Silk Road trading routes from Asia to Europe, Georgia has been ruled by the Romans, Persians, Turks, Mongols and the USSR, from which Georgia gained its independence in 1991. Travelers who make an effort to learn a little bit of the language might find themselves invited to a local wedding or celebration, even if they've only met their host that morning. The country's don't-miss people, scenery, history, and (most importantly) food will keep you coming back.

Climate and Geography

Much of Georgia is mountainous, with the Caucasus Mountains giving way in the south to a fertile river plane. In the west, Georgia borders the Black Sea, giving the country miles of pristine pebble beaches. The climate is Mediterranean, with relatively cold winters bringing up to 25 days of snow in some parts of the country, and hot summers pushing temperatures into the 80s or 90s. Travelers should avoid Georgia in May, which is generally wet, and July, which is extremely hot. At any other time of the year, outdoor activities abound.

Major Cities

Tbilisi is Georgia's capital. Settlement there dates to the fifth century, and the picturesque medieval city center, Narikala, is a popular stop for tourists. Tbilisi boasts a full complement of museums, theaters, churches, city parks and other tourist infrastructure. A visitor bureau distributes maps and can give you references to tour companies and day trips to Georgia's wine country or mountains. Batumi, a city on the Black Sea coast, is famous for its palm trees and beaches. It's especially popular with locals and tourists alike in July and August, so steer clear of it then unless you don't mind crowds.

Transportation

The easiest way to get to Georgia is to fly into Tbilisi International Airport, which opened in 2007. Flights from surrounding countries like Turkey can be relatively inexpensive. If you're driving, Georgia has a system of roads that functions much like the US interstate highway system, connecting all of Georgia to Russia in the north and Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in the south and west. Major Georgian cities generally have an extensive network of trams and city buses, and private minibus service runs where government buses do not. Tbilisi is the only Georgian city, as of 2010, to have a subway system, according to the CIA World Factbook.

Food

Georgian food is generally very rich and tasty, owing to the country's incredible fertility and position on the Black Sea. Local specialties include khachapuri, a cheese-stuffed bread offered with every meal; khinkali, mutton dumplings; and mcvadi, the Georgian equivalent of the famous Russian shasklik kebabs. Georgian wines are gaining a favorable reputation around the world for their delicious taste and low cost, reports CNN. Try to finagle dinner at a native's house. Georgians will often go all-out to provide their guests with a delicious spread. Reciprocate by bringing a gift of wine or chocolates.

Considerations

Citizens of most Western countries, including the United States, do not need a visa before traveling to Georgia. The Georgian currency is the Lari, which is a closed currency, meaning you will not be able to convert your currency to or from Lari outside of Georgia. There are exchange kiosks in all the major airports and train stations, which often give a better rate than banks. US dollars and euros are the easiest to convert. ATMs can be hard to come by, so bring more cash than you think you'll need, says David Mchedlishvili of About Georgia.

Warning

The BBC warns that travelers should avoid visiting the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as they can be very dangerous without an armed escort. These regions broke away from Georgia in 1995 and there have been several border wars with Russia over these territories, most notably in 2008. Military occupation of these areas is ongoing, and there is a real risk of getting detained by military personnel or suffering inconvenience or injury.